Chapter 14...

Lounging on one of the plastic covered sofas in the poolroom, Serena smiles softly as she watches her friends play inside the warm heated waters of the pool. Gazing up at the amazing skylight, Serena could see the full moon clearly shining over head, along millions of stars. Shaking her head slowly, Serena couldn't help but wonder how in the world Pagan had ever found this place. Suddenly hearing laughter then an amused voice, Serena turns her head towards the speaker. "That's an easy question Serey-kitty... I had Setsuna find a suitable piece of property for my and Tal'lan's needs then had her get this place Designed and build...with many modifications from myself of course."

"You know Susan?" Serena asked. Pagan smiles slightly at the question. "Oh Cousin Serenity, I know ALL of your Senshi...that includes the Senshis of the Heavens, Oceans, Death and Time. Not to mention I have been friends and allies with them for quiet some time in this life." Blinking rapidly at the reference of the outers, Serena suddenly notices that all went quiet after that statement. "You mean they've known about your all the time.... And they never told me?" Serena asked slightly upset

Sighing quietly Pagan stands up and walks two steps from her cousin, all the while feeling all eyes drawn to her. "You weren't supposed to know...at least not yet..." "Then why did you show yourself now?" Lita asked the question on everyone's mind. "Because it has now become impossible for me not to show myself." Pagan says cryptically. "And what does THAT supposed to mean?" Rei demanded. "What it means Hino Rei, Princess of Mars, is that enemy has now giving my heart no choice than to reveal herself and give protection and aid to her beloved cousin...and I would like you to hold a civil tongue in your head while in our home Marian before I am forced to do it for you. And now tis not a threat princess.it is a statement of fact I assure you" replied a Snarled answer.

All eyes swiftly turn towards the doors in time to see Tal'lan slowly stalks into the room, soundlessly. Walking up to where Pagan stood, Tal'lan presses his head against her stomach, and smooth his cheek against her swimming suit, a rough purr coming from his throat, successfully soothing her temper, and her nerves.

Closing her eyes, Pagan slowly drops to one knee and reaches out with her hands to bury them deep into his dark pelt.suddenly there is a burst of light from her forehead and the upturned silver crescent moon alights upon its resting-place. Pressing her birthmark to Tal's own, Pagan breathes deeply of his woodsy yet musky scent and opens her eyes to gaze deep into his, calming his savage anger. "I'm alright Tal...it takes more than some words of the Marian Princess to break me down.... You know that." She says softly. "That would be true, if you were not already highly disturbed by other events and worries." he answers.

Turning her head she looked into the eyes of each person here before explaining. "Tonight is a night of fun and friends and family, but I will say this...Enjoy all the fun you can, for the coming future may not have many of these moments."

Turning back to her cousin, Pagan slowly walks back to her and holds out one hand.

"Come let us join them...do you remember the times we used to have when WE were around a pool?" Pagan couldn't keep the wickedly evil grin off her lips as she says this.

Giggling slightly Serena nods and starts to move towards the pool when she stops short. Putting one hand upon her hair still in odangos, she looked up at her beloved cousin.

"Pagan...would you help me braid my hair? Otherwise it will be all tangled up when we come out."

Nodding slightly, Pagan walks behind Serena and together they quickly undo the odangos and Pagan swiftly pulls Serena's hair into a thick braid that reaches all the way to her ankles.

"Serey-kitty seems you finally caught up with my hair, used to be a time that you would despair of always having semi-short hair."

Giggling Serena nods remembering, as Pagan finishes tying off the band at the end of the braid, she suddenly grins and with a good hard push, shoves Serena into the deep end of the pool.

The others hearing their friend shriek, turned around to see Serena's sputtering face as her head pops out to the surface, her expression a mixture of shock, and indignation, as she glares at her cousin who happened to be doubled over laughing. Seeing the hilarity of the scene the others began to giggle or chuckle as well.

"PAGAN LUNARI DARKCHILD!!!!!!...That...that..That was just...." Serena sputtered not able to find the right words as she watched her cousin finally begin to control herself.

Finally getting herself under control Pagan just looks into her cousin's eyes and smirks slightly. "Well well Serey kitty seems the roles are now reversed, for if you would remember the LAST time you and I were near a large body of water.... *I* was the one soaking wet and you rolling on the floor, laughing your head off. Only I happened to have been fully dressed at the time...Or have we forgotten that little prank you pulled back then?" Pagan said the last in a sarcastically sweet voice.

Softly laughing that the display that the lunar cousins were giving, Tal'lan slowly shakes his head as he walks over to the spot near Luna and lays down, after giving the housecat a respectful nod of his head, making sure that he was as far away from the water as he could be.

Silently the two Lunarian Felines watched as their charges and their friends laughed, played, swam, and generally had a good time with one another. Each knowing deep in their hearts to cherish these special times.